Page 8 - MGHA Annual Report, 2023

Looking back on 2022, I believe the Mississippi gaming industry has closed the book on another year that it can be proud of. Our casinos continue to offer quality gaming and non-gaming products in an atmosphere that visitors can enjoy. I want to especially thank our operators for making health and safety a top priority for those working and visiting our properties. When you employ more than 15,000 employees, and handle nearly 20 million visitors each year, it can’t be overstated how important it is to stay attentive to any issue that might impact a safe atmosphere for workers and patrons. Our operators worked hard in cooperation with state and local officials and law enforcement this past year to carefully provide safe gaming environments across our state. This is an area we will continue to emphasize over and over in the years ahead.
Jay McDaniel
When we saw record gaming revenues in 2021, we knew
it would be a difficult task to maintain those revenue levels, but the industry did well to avoid a significant retraction from the previous year. It appears that the 26 licensed casinos will end 2022 with nearly $2.6 billion in total gaming revenue. It also looks like the coastal market will finish very near the $1.6 billion in record-setting revenue that it had in 2021. These revenue numbers were healthy despite the increased competition from the launching of online sports wagering in Louisiana and Arkansas. We also saw two significant acquisitions of gaming properties in 2022, one that closed in Natchez, and one expected to close in Tunica in early 2023. As always, increased regional and national competition will be one of the primary threats to watch and adapt to as necessary.
The Mississippi Gaming Commission will continue to work to provide a strict but fair regulatory environment. We are working with operators currently to roll out field trials of technological advancements that we are seeing in the industry. Cashless wagering at both slots and table games
is something I expect us to test more of in the coming year, as well as more improvements in mobile wagering on premises, to the extent our laws will allow it. We will continue to review regulations and make amendments in any areas where we feel requirements have become outdated or unnecessarily burdensome. We will continue to focus on responsible gaming, and emphasize to the industry the importance of using every means available to make sure patrons enjoy gaming responsibly.
I want to thank the MGHA and its members for working with us to share information and ideas so that this market maintains its status as a leader in the industry. I have no doubt that a professional level of cooperation will continue. I hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable holiday season and I wish you all the best in the coming year and years ahead.
Jay McDaniel
Jay McDaniel
Executive Director, Mississippi Gaming Commission
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